Highlights of Cambodia

Description

There’s a special magic about Cambodia that casts a spell on visitors to this charming yet confounding kingdom. On this great week long tour you will rise to the gods at the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, and descend into the hell of Tuol Sleng and come face to face with the Khmer Rouge and its killing machine. Cambodia is a country with a history both inspiring and depressing, an intoxicating place where the future is still waiting to be shaped. The capital Phnom Penh is both chaotic yet charismatic and the revitalised city of Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor temples, is a great place to relax and has a gorgeous riverside location, a cultural renaissance, and a dining and drinking scene to rival the best in the region.

Day 1
Phnom Penh

Your tour begins in the capital city Phnom Penh. On arrival you will be met by one of our representatives and taken to your hotel. This evening meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for welcome drinks and a tour briefing.

Day 2
Phnom Penh

Today begins with a cyclo ride, a traditional form of local transport where you sit and enjoy the backstreets and architecture of the city while the cyclo rider pedals you around. Our ride takes us to the Royal Palace and the famous Silver Pagoda, lined with a tiled floor of 5,000 silver tablets. The Silver Pagoda, originally built in 1892, was largely spared sacking by the Khmer Rouge and houses a revered ‘Emerald Buddha’ – akin to the Emerald Buddha held in Bangkok’s Grand Palace – as well as a ‘Golden Buddha’ encrusted with more than 9,000 diamonds. Afterwards we spend time at the National Museum for an appreciation of the splendour of Khmer history and art. Many of the sculptures you will see today were made before construction of the Angkor ruins began. This afternoon we visit the chilling Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and The Killing Fields of Choeng Ek for an insight into the insanity of the Pol Pot era and the country’s sombre recent history. We finish our touring with a visit to Psah Thmei or Central Market as it is commonly known, built in 1937 this is a remarkable example of French Colonial Art Deco architecture. The evening is free to shop or wander along the nearby waterfront area.

Day 3
Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom

Set out today on the picturesque drive to Kampong Thom, stopping on the way at a number of places of interest to take photos of gorgeous rural Cambodia. After a further hours drive we stop for a home cooked lunch at a small silk farm at Santuk and learn the intricacies of traditional silk production. After lunch we take a drive to the ruins of Sambor Pre Kuk, the pre-Angkorian capital of the Chenla civilization and one of the oldest temple cities in Southeast Asia. The city was built by King Ishanavarman I (616-635 A.D.) and dedicated to Shiva in the 7th century. The Chenla kingdom was divided in the 8th century into two kingdoms, (Chenla of the Land and Chenla of the Sea), before being reunited again in the 9th century, by Jayavarman II, founding the Khmer Empire. In more recent times, Sambor Pre Kuk became a Khmer Rouge stronghold during Cambodia’s civil war and was the target of heavy American bombing. It is believed there were up to 200 temple remains before hostilities began; sadly only around 100 remain today. Today you will have the chance to explore some of the most impressive temples of the area. This group of temples is little visited by westerners and provides an insight into the historical development of temple architecture in Cambodia. After walking through the most important ruins we will then drive back to the city of Kampong Thom.

Day 4
Kampong Thom to Siem Reap

This morning you head further north to Siem Reap, stopping at a huge ancient ‘naga’ (serpent) bridge at Kampong Kdei. On the way to Siem Reap take a boat trip on the beautiful Tonle Sap, the second largest freshwater lake in the world. This ecologically marvellous lake is the lifeblood of the country and the primary source of fish and protein for most of the Cambodian population. Visit a remote village built on stilts and see floating houses which move as water levels rise and recede. Arrive in Siem Reap and check-in to your hotel.

Day 5
Temples of Angkor

The temples of Angkor represent 600 years of Khmer civilisation - one of Asia’s greatest kingdoms. Today you will explore majestic Angkor Wat and the walled city of Angkor Thom. Your adventure begins with a pre dawn departure from the hotel for sunrise outside Angkor Wat. Creep through the temple in darkness before soaking up the atmosphere of dawn from the edge of one of the ancient library pools. Then venture deep into the central chambers and upper terraces of this truly great temple. Later visit Angkor Thom city and marvel at the eerie stone heads of the Bayon temple. This afternoon explore two overgrown sites, the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm, one of the most atmospheric of all temples in Angkor and the sister site, Preah Khan.

Day 6
Temples of Angkor

Today visit two of the most interesting temples outside Angkor Thom city. Travel two hours through scenic countryside to the 11th century Boeng Mealea Temple, the largest outside the main Angkor complex and the intricately carved and well preserved Banteay Srei Temple, where you have lunch at a local restaurant before exploring. The detailed reliefs on this smaller sandstone structure are regarded as the finest, most skilfully crafted in Cambodia. Banteay Srei has only been accessible since the late 1990s and is regarded by many as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Angkor temples. On the way back to Siem Reap stop at the Cambodian Landmine Museum.

Day 7
Tour ends

Your wonderful tour of Cambodia comes to an end today. Time for sightseeing or souvenir shopping in the markets and stalls of Siem Reap, a relaxing few hours beside the pool, or perhaps a visit to the fascinating artisans village to watch the craftsmen and women at work before you are taken to the airport for your onward flight or to begin your journey home having seen all the highlights of this fascinating country.

Tour details 7 days

Classic fr £857pp

Valid between: 04/01/2017 - 22/12/2017

Tour Highlights

Phnom Penh

Kampong Thom

Siem Reap

Temples of Angkor

Included:

6 nights accommodation with breakfast

2 lunches

Western Tour leader with minimum 7 passengers

Transport by air conditioned vehicle

Some sightseeing and entrance fees

Not included:

International flights & visas

TRUSTED REVIEWS See what 83 customers thought of Phnom Penh

I was very, very pleased with the service you offered me. The flights were fine and the hotel recommended was excellent

Ronald Green| Posted on 22 Aug Flew to Phnom Penh

Rupert as always was so helpful and efficient

Anne Ng| Posted on 29 Jul Flew to Phnom Penh

Thanks again Marco, another successful trip

Julie Dehnavi| Posted on 04 Jul Flew to Phnom Penh

Thanks for very good service

Mark Peters| Posted on 19 May Flew to Phnom Penh

Delayed in Hong Kong. Airline did not provide food or drinks.

Judith Randle| Posted on 02 May Flew to Phnom Penh

We have been using DialAflight for many years and always had excellent service. Travis is a star

Christopher Brook| Posted on 07 Apr Flew to Phnom Penh

Keep up the Ultimate customer service and great comms

Stephen Holsgrove| Posted on 16 Mar Flew to Phnom Penh

Excellent service as always

Kevin Morley| Posted on 11 Mar Flew to Phnom Penh

Top class in every way.

William Barnett| Posted on 11 Mar Flew to Phnom Penh

Emirates and Bangkok Airways were an excellent choice - very good service. Due to the size of Dubai and Bangkok airports time between connecting flights needs to be longer.

Mary Evans| Posted on 07 Mar Flew to Phnom Penh

Ronnie was extremely efficient, helpful and engaging.

Mark Souster| Posted on 28 Feb Flew to Phnom Penh

Many thanks to Eric and the team for arranging the flights. Everything went to plan.

Brian Firks| Posted on 27 Feb Flew to Phnom Penh

Would like to thank Reid and the team for a great holiday

Michael Oneill| Posted on 02 Feb Flew to Phnom Penh

Many thanks to DialAFlight for finding me return flights to Cambodia flying back from Singapore so that my son was able to join our party. Thank you once again for making our holiday so special.

Sylvia Kay| Posted on 30 Jan Flew to Phnom Penh

DialAFlight do all the work for you, hassle free. Excellent service 10/10. Will be using them for my next trip 100%

Julian Royle| Posted on 21 Jan Flew to Phnom Penh

Everything went smoothly- would definitely use you again.

Pamela Wheeler| Posted on 27 Dec Flew to Phnom Penh

Karl was excellent. I needed an urgent flight to Cambodia due to the death of my brother. I was very emotional and he was wonderful and caring and I felt safe in his hands. I also spoke with Ryan on another day who was also lovely. I will definitely use you again for all my flights. Just having a real person help is a wonderful thing. Thank you so much.

Lorraine Thomas| Posted on 22 Nov Flew to Phnom Penh

Really helpful throughout the process and got me a great deal too.The app is excellent.

David Jenkins| Posted on 24 Oct Flew to Phnom Penh

I just want to make a special mention about Ivor. He was so knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and professional. On two occasions we had to change details and nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him. We will always use you in future

John Geden| Posted on 17 Oct Flew to Phnom Penh

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Keith Johnson| Posted on 01 Oct Flew to Phnom Penh

Malaysian lost our luggage twice

Neil Cobb| Posted on 30 Sep Flew to Phnom Penh

Brilliant service throughout and a wonderful holiday. Will definitely use you again

Mom Gillespie| Posted on 16 Jul Flew to Phnom Penh

Fantastic holiday. Thanks

Thomas O'Neill| Posted on 17 May Flew to Phnom Penh

Very helpful, very reasonable price and excellent service and follow up.

Jane at DialAFlight is so helpful and is always there with advice when I need it. I don't shop anywhere else because the service is so good

Nicholas Kane| Posted on 18 Jan Flew to Phnom Penh

The time between flight arrival / departure at Singapore airport of 50 min proved to be extremely tight as it also required a change of terminal and although we did manage to catch the flight our luggage didn't. As it was our flight home this didn't matter too much but had it been any of the earlier flights it would have caused a major issue.

Sandra Meeds| Posted on 14 Jan Flew to Phnom Penh

Sally is always professional but other members of the team have also been a great help. Flights were on time, our seats were as stated on the confirmation and I had vegetarian meals as requested. Thank you